This gallery might help you understand what to expect with the various stages of breast reconstruction. It is important to understand that every woman has a unique experience and outcome based on many factors. 

Remember:
  • Different situations require different approaches
  • Reconstruction can be a combination of techniques.
  • Some women choose to complete their reconstruction with nipples and tattooing,
  • Some women feel satisfied with achieving the shape of a breast mound, or to have 3D aerola tattooing. 

One of the good things is you will usually not need to decide about the final stages until you are ready, so choices about nipple reconstruction and tattooing can be made later. Some women complete their breast reconstruction in several months while others might take up to 1 or 2 years. 

Surgeons take a case by case approach and typically reconstruction surgery will be more than one, and sometimes several, surgeries before the final outcomes are achieved. We call the subsequent surgeries revision surgery.​ Discuss your options and time frame with your surgeon to suit your specific circumstances.
Thank you to the women of the Reclaim Your Curves community for providing their images.

Delayed breast reconstruction - click the image to enlarge

Lattissimus dorsi (scarless) flap with nipple reconstruction and aerola tattooing
Gas expansion and implant reconstruction with nipple reconstruction
Latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction with expander to implant with nipple reconstruction and tattooing
TRAM Flap reconstruction with nipple reconstruction
DIEP Flap reconstruction with nipple reconstruction

Immediate and skin sparing breast reconstruction

Nipple sparing bi-lateral mastectomy with saline tissue expanders using FlexHD reconstruction then implant
Skin sparing Latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction with nipple reconstruction
Saline expander and implant reconstruction with nipple reconstruction and aerola tattooing
Immediate skin sparing TRAM Flap reconstruction with implant at later stage and nipple reconstruction